The Connecticut Sun are in a tough spot early this season, and they know exactly who they need—but she's still across the Atlantic. After a frustrating 89-82 loss to the Seattle Storm on Sunday, head coach Rachid Meziane didn't waste a moment. Minutes after the final buzzer, he texted point guard Leila Lacan a simple but urgent message: "We need you."

Lacan, now in her second WNBA season, is still in France finishing up the Ligue Feminine playoffs with her club Landes. For the Sun, her overseas commitment can't end soon enough. Through the first two games of the 2026 campaign, Connecticut has looked disjointed on offense, struggling to string together clean possessions. The problem is clear: they're missing a steady, experienced playmaker to run the system.

Meziane didn't hold back after the Seattle game, pointing to the team's tendency to create off the dribble instead of moving the ball. Those breakdowns have led to costly turnovers—more than any other team in the league through two games—and the Sun currently rank 11th out of 15 teams in assists per game. "We're doing what we can with who we have," Meziane said. "But without a playmaker, we need to play a different way—better passing, share the ball. Sometimes we kill our own flow. We need to understand the game, not just show up and play like a pickup game."

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Lacan could rejoin the team as early as next week, depending on how Landes performs in the championship series. Her squad dropped Game 1 to Bourges on Saturday, with Game 2 set for Friday and a potential decisive Game 3 on Sunday. Last season, nine of Connecticut's 11 wins came after Lacan joined the roster in late June, underscoring just how vital she is to this team's success.

In the meantime, the Sun will have to survive at least three more games without her. Veteran guard Shey Peddy, a six-year WNBA player, was expected to start at point guard until Lacan's return, but the 37-year-old is currently sidelined with a lower leg injury. That leaves Connecticut searching for answers at the game's most important position—and with the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces up next, the pressure is only mounting.